1. TEXAS BIG GERMAN SHEPHERDS 361-449-5250 182 FM. 3162 SANDIA, TEXAS 78383 britex182@yahoo.com britex182@yahoo.com

2. Germans Standardized The Breed (Of Course) In 1889, breeder Max von Stephanitz noticed a wolf-like dog with yellow and black markings at a dog show in western Germany. Impressed by the pooch’s intelligence and discipline, the breeder purchased the dog and changed its name from Hektor Linksrhein to Horand von Grafrath. Von Stephanitz then started the German Shepherd Dog Club and set up guidelines for the breed’s standard. His motto for the breed was "utility and intelligence"; good looks came second.

3. They work like dogs Germany became more industrialized, von Stephanitz realized that the need for his dogs might decline. To maintain their relevance, he worked with police and other service workers to secure a place for the dogs in the working force. Since they had been bred to be highly intelligent and athletic, they were easy to train and were tireless workers. Thanks to von Stephanitz help, the diligent canines found work as messengers and guards.

4. World War I brought German Shepherds out West During the war, Germans used the dogs for a number of purposes. Mercy dogs brought first aid to wounded soldiers after battle and would stay near mortally injured soldiers to keep them company as they passed away. Others delivered messages or worked as guard dogs. Americans were so impressed with these pooches that they brought some home. The United States was captivated with the breed’s appearance, and they soon became wildly popular.

5. The Dogs Went Through A Temporary Name Change After the World Wars, Americans and many Europeans were a little leery of anything German. As a result, a dog called a “German Shepherd” didn’t seem very appealing. To combat this bias, the American Kennel Club simply called them shepherd dogs, and the English called them Alsatian wolf dogs. That moniker was used until 1977, but it was used for so long in Europe that some people still refer to them as Alsatians to this day.

6. Some Can Be Affected With Dwarfism Although rare, some Texas Big German Shepherds can have pituitary dwarfism, and as a result, the dogs are puppy-like forever, keeping their puppy fur and staying small in stature.Texas Big German Shepherds While this condition makes them look like adorable teddy bears, it comes with a whole slew of health problems.

7. A Play Once Featured Six German Shepherds As Actors In the mid-'80s, Dutch director Whim Schipper developed a play that starred six German Shepherds. The dogs were sent to drama lessons in Amsterdam and given treats as motivation to act. Called Going to the Dogs, the play featured a traditional family plot: The daughter brings home a new boyfriend, and love, jealousy, and parental worries come into play. Unsurprisingly, the play was a flop— even the theater’s manager left early.

8. Rin Tin Tin Was The Breed’s Biggest Star Rin Tin was a German Shepherd rescued from the WWI battlefield. His savior, an American soldier named Duncan Lee, trained the dog to work in silent films. The dog became a star whose draw was so enormous that Warner Bros. would release a Rin Tin movie whenever it was having financial problems. It’s rumored that Rin Tin Tin was actually voted the best actor of the first Academy Awards in 1929. The Life and the Legend suggests that the dog was passed over for Emil Jannings simply because he was human. "In terms of popularity, Rin Tin Tin didn't have a peer," Orlean told The Guardian.

9. TEXAS BIG GERMAN SHEPHERDS 361-449-5250 182 FM. 3162 SANDIA, TEXAS 78383 britex182@yahoo.com britex182@yahoo.com